Electromagnetic reset valve



w. RAY

ELECTROMAGNETIC RESET VALVE Jime 17, 1947 Filed June 5, 1943 2Sheets-Sheet 1 I 1/11/1111 I v I Iimaentor: W/u/AM 4. R4 Y. Y attorney.

June 17, 1947- v w. A. RAY 2,422,368

ELECTROMAGNETIC RESET VALVE Filed June 5, 1945 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w/zgll 2,

' Snoentor W/u/AM 4. IQAY,

B r attorney Patented June 17, 1947 ELECTROMAGNETIC RESET VALVE 'WilliamA. Ray, Glendale, Callf., assignmto General Controls 00., a corporationApplication June 5, 1943, Serial No. 489,801

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a reset valve for fluid fuels. Such resetvalves are used in fuel supply systems to ensure against flow of fuel tothe burner unless a pilot flame is lit. A valve of this character isusually arranged to be maintained open by an electromagnet energized bya thermocouple, or a thermopile in the pilot flame. Then the main cockmaybe turned on and off, as desired, the .pilot flame serving to ignitethe fuel passing through the main burner whenever opened.

If the pilot flame should be extinguished, the safety valve closes. Tore-establish the fuel supply, the safety valve may be manually reset toopen position and held in the open position until the pilot flame isignited. If the flamefor any reason fails to ignite, release of thereset valve causes the valve to close again; and a resetting operationmust be again attempted.

A safety valve of this'general character is described ln an applicationfiled in the name of William A. Ray, on February 4, 1941, Serial No.377,274, entitled Reset valveand control therefor." I

It is an object of this invention to provide such a valve of compact andsimplified construction and having an improved mode of operation;

It is another object of this invention to make it possible to controlthe passage of fuel to the pilot burner during the resetting operation,in a convenient and simple manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a reset valveincluding a main valve, and a supplemental valve for independentlycontrolling a pilot burner, and having a single actuator which isoptionally operable for operating the main valve or the supplementalvalve.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a reset valveincluding a main valve and a safety valve, and so arranged thatoperation of the main valve acts directly to actuate the safety valve.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a reset valvearranged to give an indication when the main or manually operable valveis closed.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form inthe drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification.The form will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the the cock is' I invention; but it is to be understoodthat this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,slncethe scope of this invention is best defined bythe appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal section through a valve incorporating theinvention;

' Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are sections as seenon correspondinglynumberedplanes of Fig. l;

' Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing the valve in adifierent operating position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section as seen on plane 66 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 7 is a diagram indicating the various operating positions of themainvalve closure.

This valve is of the type for controlling the fluid fuel supply to aburner which is intermittently operated, a constantly lighted pilotburner being provided for igniting the main burner after periods ofinactivity.

The valve structure comprises a main valve 3 4 which is manuallyoperable for optionally controlling the supply of fuelto a main burner(not shown). Obviously it is important to provide 25 means whereby, uponextinguishment of the main burner and of .the pilot burner, the supplyof fuel to these burners is interrupted. Further, means must be providedfor preventing re-establishment of the supply to the main burner untilthe pilot burner has been relighted. For this purpose, a

safety valve l is provided controlling the passage of fuel through thevalve and adapted to be retained in open position by an electromagnet 2energized in response toelectricity generated by the heat of the pilotburner flame in 'a well known manner, as by a thermocouple (not shown).Upon the extinguishment of the pilot burner for any reason, coil 2 isde-energized, permitting valve l to close, and stopping all fuel supplyto the burners. To avoid a dangerous condition when the valve l isopened, the means for opening valve I are soarranged that main valve 3must be closed before the valve I can be opened. Further, before valve 3can be opened, without permitting valve I to close, the pilot burnermust be lighted to energize magnet 2 to re-- tain valve I in openposition. To permit a'fuel supply to the pilot burner when valve l isopen and before valve 3 is opened, a by-pass 4 is provided in valve 3.To facilitate proper lighting of the pilot burner and to make itpossible toprevent'supply of fuel to the pilot burner until the operatoris ready, a supplemental valve 5 is provided in by-pass 4, which isautomatically closed when the main valve 3 closes, but-which from inletii to outlet it regardless of the reging a pair of cams 2% is formed onaaaaees may be opened before valve 3 is opened. However, means areprovided so that, when the main valve 3 is open, supplemental valve 5 ismaintained open. -A common actuating means 8 is provided for valves 3and 5, being arranged for movement in one plane to open and close valve3 and for movement in a direction out or this plane to open valve 5.

The valve structure comprises an elongated body it having axiallyaligned threaded o it and 82 at itsopposite ends for connection tosuitable conduits and forming, respectively, the inlet and outlet.Between the inlet and outlet openings ii and i2 is a transverse openingit, closed by a detachable cover id. There is also a boss i5 extendingtransversely of body It and forming a seat it for a tapered rotary vplugEl, and a web wall it, the boss l5, plug l1, and wall is serving tointerrupt communication between the inlet Hand outlet ii. To establishcommunication between the inlet and the outlet, plug H has an axial portit adapted to connect with inlet ii and intersected by a radial port 28adapted to connect with outlet 52 through port?! in the boss l3.Rotation of plug it in seat id serves to place ports 28 and 2E into orout of registry as desired.-

Safety valve i includes a valve member 28 in the form or a disc oi 1etic material pted to co-operate with a valve seat 25 formed on the endof valve plug H. A light compression spring 25 urges disc as to seat 23. When member 23 is on seat Zdcommuniciation between inlet ii and portis is interrupted; hence, no fluid can istry of ports it and 28. A camsurface comprisof plug ii, and means fo n a ctr-operating cam surface Nis secured to valve disc 23, so that rotation of plug ll serves to raisedisc 23 from seat 25 against the force of spring 25 and into contactwith the face 28 of the electromagnet 2 mounted in cover id. This magnet2, appropriate energization, retains valve disc as in open position.Electr: 2 is supported within cap it by a single screw 29, and isprotheupperend vided with leads 3d and binding 3! dor connection with asuitable source of electric cur.

rent, such as a thermocouple. 1

Since the fluid passingthroughthe carries a certain amount or stickymaterial, dirt, eta,

likely to be deposited within the valve, and,-par ticularly since theforce exerted by mmet 2 is small, it is desirable to protect face 28 ofthe anagent, as well as the co-operating race of disc 23, from thefluid. Otherwise, a deposit of such material on these faces wouldseriously reduce the holding power or the magnet '2, or possibly causethe disc to stick' in open position. For this purpose a short metallicbellows or Sylphon 3!, surrounding face 28, is secured to the lowersurface of electromagnet 2 and to disc 23.

It is; of course, necessary to prevent disc 23 and to bring valve disc23 directly into contact with face 28. To allow for manufacturingtolerances, as well as to guard against urging disc 23 against race itwith such iorce as to damage the parts,

a member 88; having a plurality of resilient fingers 89, is interposedbetween cam mean 2'! and disc 23. As clearly shown in Fig. l, cam means21 is secured to disc 23 by a screw d0 having a flat sided portion M,the cam means 2! being axially slidable on portion ti and urged down-'wardly therealong by spring fingers 39. Thus, when cam means 21 is movedupwardly, as by cam means 25, this upward movement is imparted to disc23 through fingers 89; and, upon disc 23 contacting iace 28,.iurtherupward movement of cam means 27 merely flexes fingers it. I

The byw port a for supplying the pilot burner comprises acircumferential groove dd on plug ll, extending partly around theperiphery thereof, and communicating with port 19 through a radial port55. The boss it of body It has an extension iorming a chamber 46for-accommodating the supplemental valve 5 which may comprise a ball 6!urged as by spring 48 toward a seat 39,

formed on a plus he threaded into the lower end of chamber 58. Thatportion of chamber it above seat ie is open to groove st and hence toports t5 and it through port 5|, while that portionoi chamber dd belowseat 58 comprising bore 52 or plug 5t communicates with tube 53 whichleads to the pilot burner (not shown) via ports extension or of plug ll,being retained thereonby a nut and washer t3 and 66. A compressionspring 35 urges disc at downwardly against washer dd, the upper end ofspring 85 seating a ainst a washer 68 having an upturned retaining edge67.

To prevent any upward movement of plug 57 and consequent unseatingthereof with respect to seat it, incident to manipulation of actuator$6, a re-.'

taining nut 58 is threaded on stem 82 and maintains washer $8 in contactwith the lower surface of body in. y I l Appropriate rotation of theknob or actuator- 60 will rotate plug H to place ports 20 and 2| into orout of registry, as well as to cause cam 28 to unseat valve disc 23.Further, actuator 60 has-a raised portion or holding surfacelfl whichengages push rod 51, maintaining supplemental valve 5 cam means 21, fromrotating in order that rotation of plug I1 and cam means 28 will beeffective to raise disc 23. For this purpose an inverted cup 34 issecured within cap II, as by being clamped between the upper end-oimagnet 2 and the under suriace of cap l4, servingto'enclose magnet 2andspring 25. Cup 3| has its lower open, this surface I0 havinga slopingportion I4 which acts as a cam on rod 51 to cause valve 5 to open orclose in response to rotation oi the actuator 60.

Theangular relationship existing between the cams and ports is bestdescribed in connection with the mode of operation of the valve. In thisconnection attention is called to Figs. 4 and 7,

the latter being a diagrammatic showing of plug 1 i1 and actuator 80. Inboth Figs. 4 and I, the

parts are shown as in the positions they occupy when the main valve disfully open, as in Fig, 1.

In Fig. 1 the safety valve I is shown as closed, as after accidentalextinguishment of the pilot bumer, or upon initiating operation of theburner; hence no fuel can flow to either the pilot burner or the mainburner.

In a reset valve of this character, the closing of the main or manuallyoperable valve 3 serves to open the automatic or safety valve I. Sincethe main valve 3 must be fully closed before the safety valve Icommences to open, the operating connection between the valves mustinclude a lost motion provision. In the present instance, this lostmotion is provided by suitable angular spacing between the co-operatingcam surfaces. 26 and 21, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Stop means are provided for appropriately limitingangular movement ofactuator 60; this may comprise lugs II and 12 on the actuator 60 forengaging respectively with a boss I3 on body I0. In the fully openposition of Figs. 1, 4, and '7, lug II contacts boss I3. Movement ofactuator 60 and plug I1 counterclockwise from this position will causeports 20 and 2I to pass successively out of registry and then to closeuntil, after 90 of movement, the main valve 3 may be regarded aseffectively closed. This is indicated in Fig. '7 by lines I00, IOI, andI02, which may be considered as successively reaching dart I03 inresponse to counterclockwise movement of actuator 60 and plug I'I. Afterthe amount of movement represented by the angle between dart I03 andline I02, cam surfaces 26 and 21 are still out of contact, hence valve Iis still closed; further, the supplemental valve 5 is still open, due torod 51 still being on holding surface I0. However, a small additionalcounterclockwise movement.

will bring the edge of cam surface I4 under push rod 5], allowing valve5 to begin to close, further movement causing valve 5 to closecompletely. This can be visualized in Fig. 'l as the successive arrivalof lines I04 and I05 at dart I03. All valves are now closed. Furthercounterclockwise movement of plug I'I brings cam surfaces 26 on the pluginto engagement with the co-opcrating surfaces ty valve I, additionalcounterclockwise movement of plug II causing valve I to be fully openedand brought into contact with face 28 of magnet 2, and can be visualizedby the successive arrival of lines I06 and I! at dart I03.

It is now necessary to cause magnet 2 to be energized, as otherwise,upon returning plug I'I to open position, valve member 23 willimmediately return to. its seat 24 and prevent any fluid passing tovalve 3. For this purpose, the pilot burner must be ignited and keptburning for a brief period until the thermocouple heated therebygenerates sufficient current to energize magnet 2. Supplemental valvemust therefore be opened. This is accomplished by pressing actuator 60toward body I0 and against the force of spring 65, causing push rod 51to lift ball 41 from its seat 49.. After an interval sufficient to allowthe thermocouple to become active, actuator 60 is returned clockwise atleast far enough to bring the end of rod 51 onto the holding sur-1 faceI0 while still elevated; and then the actuator is brought to itsoriginal position with lug .II engaging 'boss 13 and ports and 2|in'registry. Ample space is provided in chamber 46 about ball 41 toaccommodate the ball 41 when actuator 60 is urged upwardly and push rod51 ison the holding surface I0. Hence, it is not material when theactuator 60 is allowed to return to its lower position in response tospring 65, so long 21 on the valve disc 23 of safe as his maintainedelevated long enough to ensure that valve 5 is held open.

It is to be noted that the provision of valve 5 for controlling the fuelsupply to the pilot burner has important advantages. Thus, no fuel flowsto the pilot burner until the operator is ready to ignite it, and allpossibility of an accumulation of unignited fuel is avoided. Further,this valve is opened by a short easy movement distinct from'that'necessary to open the main valve.

In addition to the safety features of the valve, it is intended for useas a control. v Thus, by turning the plug counterclockwise from theposition of Figs. 1, 4, and 7, the flow of fuel to the main burner maybe restricted or stopped entirely, that is. from the position indicatedby line I 02 to that indicated by line I0'3'of Fig. Conversely, byturning the plug clockwise from the closed position, the flow of fuelmay be initiated and regulated to any desired proportion of a full flow.For essential that the pilot burner not be extinguished accidentally.Referring to Fig. 7, it will be noted that the angular movement of theactuator. '60 necessary to close the valve 5 which controls fuel to thepilot burner is substantially greater than that required to close themain valve 3. Accordingly, such normal operation is easily accomplished;however, to facilitate it. means are provided for exerting a momentaryrestraint, as well as giving audible warning when the plug II reaches afully closed position and before the pilot valve 5 closes.

For this purpose a detent I1 is slidably mounted in a bore 1'8 in bossI3, being continually urged against the actuator 60 by a spring 19. Adepression 80 is provided in the surface of actuator for receiving thedetent I1, and is so positioned angularly with respect thereto as to beengaged .by detent II when plug I1 is in closed position, and when theplug'is being turned from open position before holding surface I0 hasmoved from under push rod 51 and allowed valve 5 to close. It will beapparent, when detent I1 is in engagement with depression 80, arestraint will be placed on the movement'of actuator 60, requiringadditional force to overcome it and move the actuator farther to pilotextinguishing position. Further, an audible click will result when thedetent 11 drops into depression 80. Accordingly, accidental movement ofthe actuator 60 past closing position for main valve 3, with resultinginconvenience due to extinguishing the pilot, will be avoided. Theactuator maybetreadily turned beyond this position when necessary untilstop 12 engages boss 13 and the safety valve I is opened.

The inventor claims: a

1. In a reset valve mechanism for fluid fuels, a main valve structure,a; safety valve structure, each of said structures having a movablevalve closure, means for causing the safety valve closure to move toopen position in response to movement of the main valve closure to aclosed position, means controlled by said safety valve closure forsupplying fuel to a pilot burner, and supplemental this purpose, it is,of course,

I to move to open position -for supplying fuel to a pilot burner, asupplemental valve controlling said supplying means, means constantlyurging said supplemental valve toward closed position, and meansconnected to the main valve closure for causing said supplemental valveto be maintained in open position upon arrival of the ,main valveclosure to an open position, and means for independently moving saidmeans that is connected to the main valve closurewhen the main valve isclosed, for opening the said supplemental valve.

3. In a reset valve mechanism for fluid fuels, a mainplug valve having arotary closure member,'as well as a valve body member in which theclosure member is seated, said closure member having a main fuelpassageway adapted to be of communication with a passage in the .body, asafety valve closure cooperating with one of said members to interruptthe passage of fuel, cam means carried by the rotary closure member forurging said safety valve closure to open position after the rotaryclosure member reaches avalve closing position, a manually operablemember for rotating said .rotary closure member, a valve for controllingthe passage of fuel to a pilot burner, means urging saidlpilot burnervalve toward closed position, and means carried by said manuallyoperable means for opening said controlling valve by movement of saidmanually operable means in a direction axial of the rotary closuremember.

4. In a valve structure for fluid fuels, a main valvestructure forcontrolling passage of fuel to a mainburner, a supplemental valve forcontrollingpassage of fuel to a pilot burner, actuating means foroperating said main valve to open and to close, means causing saidsupplemental valve to close in'response to closing of the main valve,said actuating means being optionally operableto open said supplementalvalve independently of the main valve.

i 5. In a valve structure for fluid fuels, a main valve structureincluding a rotary plug for conplaced into and out trolling passage offuel to a main burner, a safety valve structure including a closure forcontrolling passagelof fuel to the main burner and to a pilot burner, asupplemental valve for controlling passage of fuel to the pilot burner,and an actuatoroonnected to said plug for operating the plug and'thesafety valve closure, and movable axially of .the'plug for operatingsaid supplemental valve to supply fuel to the pilot burner.

6. In a valve structure for fluid fuels, a main valve structureincludinga rotary plug for controlling passage of fuel to a main burner, asupplemental'valve for controlling passage of fuel to a pilot burner,means urging said supplemental valve to close, and an actuator connectedto said plug for-operating the plug and movable axially thereof, saidactuator having a holding surface maintaining said supplemental valveopen while the main valve is open, and a depressed surface forpermitting the supplemental valve to close when the main valve isclosed, ai rial movement of the actuator serving to open thesupplemental valve.

'1. In a reset valve mechanism for fluid fuels, a main valve structurefor controlling passage of fuel to a main burner, a supplemental valvefor controlling passage of fuel to a. pilot burner, a

safety valve structure for, controlling passage of' fuel to said mainvalve and to said supplemental valve, actuating means for operating saidmain valve to open and to close, means opening said safety valve inresponse to movement of the main valve to closed position, means closingsaid supplemental valve in response to closing of the main valve, saidactuating means being optionally operable to open said supplementalvalve independently of the main valve, and means for retaining saidsafety valve in open position.

8. In a valve structure, a rotary plug, a valve body providing a, seatin which said plug is accommodated, said plug being operable to controlthe passage of fluid by way of the plug, and having for that purpose apassageway opening in one end of the plug, means adjacent the end ofsaid passageway forming a safety valve seat around the axis of the plug,a closure adapted to co-operate with said seat for controlling passageof fluid through said passageway and movable to.- ward and away fromsaid seat, interengaging cam means carried respectively by said plug andsaid closure and acting generally along the axis of the plug for movingsaid closure to open position in response to rotation of the plugin one.direction, means for retaining said closure in open position, and meansfor operating said plug.

9. In a valve structure, a rotary plug, a valve ,body providing a portedseat in which said plug is accommodated, said plug being operable tocontrol the passa e of fluid by way of the plug and having for thatpurpose a port adapted to connect with the port in said seat uponrotation of the plug, as well as a passageway communicating with saidport and opening in one end of the plug, means adjacent the end of saidpassageway forming a safety valve seat around the axis of the plug, aclosure adapted to co-operate with said seat for controlling passage offluid through said passageway and movabletoward and away from said seat,cam means on saidplug for moving said closure in response to rotation ofthe plug disconnecting said ports, said cam means acting on the closuregenerally along the axis of the the plug, a closure adapted toco-operatev with-- said seat for controlling the passage of fluid by wayof the plug and movable towardand away from said seat, and means forminga cam surface on the plug acting directly on said closure generallyalong the axis of the plug for operating said closure in response torotation of the plug.

11. In a valve structure, a rotary plug, a valve body providing a seatin which said plug is accommodated, said plug having a port to controlthe passage of fluid by way of the plug, said plug having for thatpurpose a passageway opening in one end of the plug, means adjacent theend of said passageway forming a safety valve seat, said seatsurrounding said passageway, asafety valve closure adapted to co-operatewith said seat for controlling the passage of fluid through saidpassageway and movable toward and away from said seat, and means forminga cam surface oarried by the plug for moving said closure in response torotation of the'plug, said cam means acting on the closure (generallyalong the axis of the plug.

12. In a valve structure, a rotary plug, a valve body providing a seatin which said plug is accommodated, said plug serving to control thepassage of fluid through th'e valve, means forming a safety valve seataround the axis of the plug, a closure covoperating with said seat for 5controlling the passage of fluid by way'of the plug and movable towardand away from said seat, and a crown cam on an end of the plug foroperating said closure in response to rotation of the plug, said camacting on the closure gen- 10 erally along the axis of the plug.

WTLIJAM A. RAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 15 fileof this patent:

Number Name Date Ray Sept. 23, 1941 Ray Mar. 16, 1943 Wantz May 11, 1943Ray Oct. 6, 1942 Mantz Sept. 3, 1940 Weber- Nov. 24, 1942 Jackson May21, 1940 Sparrow June 17, 1941 Ray Oct. 20, 1942 McCarty Mar. 28, 1944Marsh Feb. 13, 191'!

